Forget Yourself and Get To Work

One of the last things my father told us before he passed was to "Forget yourself and get to work!" What an amazing, inspiring, giving man my father was. It's hard to put into words how much you love your dad and how hard it is to say to say good bye until you try. There are no words to describe a father & daughters relationship. It's something that is carried in my heart and can never be replaced. I know our relationship does not end here on earth, but that we will have all eternity to build on that and continue to make memories and learn and grow.

My dad was constantly grateful for EVERYTHING! He loved nature, he loved people and was always quick to show his gratitude for both. He gave without one thought of his own benefit. He was a true example of selfless charity. His strength though out his disease has been an inspiration to many. Jolene Jacobs wrote a poem about him that I read at his funeral. It fits perfectly with exactly the kind of person he is.

Ted taught us so much without saying a word

He taught silent sermons, but everyone heard

He spoke of being positive confined to a chair

That our trials refine us when life doesn’t seem fair

There are so many things Ted quietly taught

Like joy in life is based on our thoughts

Ted said happiness is based on our attitude

That each day is a gift, so be full of gratitude

Throughout his trials, Ted made no complaint

He showed each day how to live as a Saint

Ted said trials came to pass, not to stay

That we can find joy in what comes our way

Ted said to raise our sights to possibility

It is always there if we have eyes to see

Like Job, Ted endured his trials faithfully

Choosing his attitude was the victory

He said we all get to make of our life

Days filled with happiness, or misery and strife.

While we can’t direct the wind or stop the hail

Ted said we have power to adjust our sails

Ted showed us that all have a reason to smile

To rejoice in hope; to be patient in trials

He said the prophet Joseph taught as he should

Life would give us experience and be for our good

Ted said the Savior would help though our test

And with him each would find heavenly rest

So we say with full hearts, Ted, we honor you

What you silently taught us, we know to be true

You taught us so much without saying a word

Now we must live our lives to show that we heard

I love you Daddy! I pray that you stay close as we try to raise your grandkids to be the kind of person you were.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. They were felt and much appreciated. We are so grateful for such kind, loving friends and family!

Mountain Biking

Brigham took us on a killer mountain bike ride. I really mean killer. I'm wimpier then most, but it took my lungs another 2 days to recover from the lactic acid build up.

The view was awesome and the ride down was really really fun! I love and miss the mountains!

Thanks Brig for kicking my butt. As bad and it hurt, my pride felt real good after. :)

Priceless Photos

1st week home

Elliot and his favorite uncle T.J. roasting mallows

Tyli and the twins.

Enjoying the weather

Skipping rocks

Enjoying the mountains

On a hike

Elliot and his Papa

Grandma & Papa

Grandma Great and the boys

We love being home!

Elliot is obsessed with his cousins. Although the parents agree they seem to bring out the worst in each other. It amazes us the things they get into and the mischievousness that goes on when they are together. Things they wouldn't even think about doing individually, but together it's the funnest thing ever. Boys are just trouble!

We've visited, grilled, roasted mallows, hiked and just been together! Love it!!

(I can't wait for J.R. to get here Friday! We miss daddy!)

March of Dimes Walk

We are very excited to be a part of March for Babies this year. I have created a team in honor of our sweet babies Landon & Lydia. We would love to have you join our team "Landon & Lydia" for the walk on May 22 9am at Willow Park in Logan, Utah. If that's not possible for you, please help me reach my goal by making a donation to my walk. It's easy and secure - just click through to make your donation.

Your gift will fund March of Dimes research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And it will be used to bring comfort and information to families with a baby in newborn intensive care.

Thank you for helping me give all babies a healthy start! Hopefully we'll see you Saturday!

To make a donation, visit my personal Web page at

http://www.marchforbabies.org/chelseahaynie

If you would like to learn more about March for Babies,
visit the Web site at marchforbabies.org.

Would you like to see what March for Babies is and why I'm walking?
Click here to see the video.

The March of Dimes mission is to improve the health of babies by
preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

All my Love!

Chelsea & J.R.

Last day of preschool

Elliot had his last day of preschool today. He has to miss the "official" last day because we are headed to Utah next week.

Thank heavens it was a good week at school (he's been having some hitting issues lately) His teachers were so kind and patient with all his stages and transitions this year. Elliot had a great experience

Cruella De ville

Lately we've been listening to a jazz version of Cruella De ville in the car. We usually don't just listen to it once or twice, but over and over until we've reached our destination.

Today after about the third time though Elliot said, "mom, this time you sing and I'll play the piano." I looked back and sure enough he's jamming out on his "air piano." I didn't hesitate to join in on the concert and sing it out. (which he usually doesn't let me do)

What a funny kid! We have such fun together!

The best neighbors!I

If you think you have awesome neighbors, I can almost guarantee ours are better (not to be prideful or anything) J.R. mentioned he wanted to bury our sump pump pipe in our backyard and the next thing we know our neighbors have set a date and all showed up with shovels in hand to get er' done.

AMAZING!

Seriously, we've never felt so loved and so cared for as we do in our neighborhood now. We are so blessed to have kind, giving, unselfish people all around us. They are fantastic examples for us and we hope to be that kind of neighbor everywhere we go!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

And it came to pass...

After a wrestling match trying to get Elliot to sit still for scriptures one night he decides HE wants to read them. I give in exhausted, hoping that this can count for tonight reading. I hand him the BOM and surprisingly this is what I heard.

"And it came to pass, (a lot I couldn't understand), Laban and angels, (more I couldn't understand), and it came to pass daddy came home, (more random jiberish).

He went on and on for about 10 minutes just jibber jabbing away with an occasional word that actually made sense like, Nephi, Jesus, Tree, but that was scattered in between all the unrecognized jibberish. 'It came to pass' was about every other sentence and I was turning blue trying to hold in my laughter. It was so cute! All those nights when I'm sure he's not listening, turns out he is.

We let him "read" again the next night to show dad how cute it is and to catch it on film. He gave us the same show and now the night time routine isn't so dreaded.

(I'll try to post the video clip once I can figure it out)

31 miles today

We buddied up and rode in "teams" this time. This was our team!!

I thought for sure it was going to be another rainy day like last time, but it turned out to be pretty nice. Super humid, but nice.

Again, the youth amazed me with they're resilience and flat out toughness! If they can keep this up we'll have no problem getting to the temple.

Me on the other hand was dying the last 3-4 miles. My legs/knees were done. But, that's exactly how it felt when we did 26 miles so I'm confident it's just going to get easier and easier with each ride!

I took my first wipe out today. I had to slam on my breaks, but then couldn't get my feet out of the stirrups quick enough so down I went. Not my most proud moment, but the blood was minimal so it wasn't too bad. Lesson for next time....pack a small First Aide kit. A bandaid would have been nice for my bleeding hand that was trying to hold the handle bars.